Tenino, city in Thurston County, Washington, United States
Tenino is a small city in Thurston County, Washington, built on land once important for quarrying sandstone. The town features buildings made from local stone that was shipped to construct public buildings across the region, including courthouses and libraries.
The city was officially incorporated in 1906, though settlers had been living there since the 19th century and cultivating the prairie land with controlled fires. The railroad arrived in the 1870s and transformed the place into a shipping and transportation hub for the growing region.
Tenino is often called The Stone City, a name reflecting the importance of sandstone to the town's identity. This stone shaped how the place looks and remains visible in many buildings that visitors see today.
The city's flat terrain is easy to navigate, and main attractions are fairly central. City Park spans over 120 acres and offers nature trails, sports facilities, and a swimming pool, making it a good place to spend time outdoors.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the city issued wooden money made from cedar and spruce to help residents buy goods when cash was scarce. These wooden notes later became collectors' items and show how the place found creative solutions during hard times.
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